# How the New Constitution Was Developed

> The new Constitution was created openly, with the participation of experts, citizens, and representatives of all regions. The process took six months – from September 2025 to February 2026 – and included collecting proposals, expert review, public discussions, and coordination.

Canonical URL: https://constitution.my/p/how-developed?lang=en
Language: en
Updated: 2026-07-26

Section: About the Constitution

## Development Timeline

**Stage 1: Launching the Process (September 2025)**

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the need for constitutional reform in his Address to the Nation of Kazakhstan. The key focus – transition to a unicameral parliament and strengthening mechanisms of popular participation.

**Stage 2: Forming the Working Group (October 2025)**

An interdepartmental Working Group on parliamentary reform was created. Its members included:

- Constitutional lawyers
- Deputies of the current Parliament (all parties)
- Business community representatives
- Human rights advocates and NGO activists
- Public administration experts
- Regional representatives

**Stage 3: Collecting Citizen Proposals (October 2025 – January 2026)**

Online platforms for proposals were launched:

- **e-Otinish** – official appeals portal
- **eGov** – state services portal

Any citizen could submit their proposal. **Over 2,000 proposals** were received. Each was reviewed by the working group.

**Stage 4: Constitutional Commission Work (January–February 2026)**

The Constitutional Commission (130+ members) was formed under the chairmanship of **Elvira Azimova** (Chair of the Constitutional Court).

All commission sessions were held in an **open format with online broadcast**. Topics discussed:

- Power structure
- Checks and balances mechanisms
- Citizens' rights (including digital)
- Electoral system
- Popular participation institutions

**Stage 5: Publication and Final Discussion (February 2026)**

The new Constitution was published for public review. Events held:

- Expert roundtables
- Regional discussions
- Media briefings

**Stage 6: Referendum (March 15, 2026)**

Citizens made the decision on March 15, 2026: voting took place on March 15, 2026.

## Who Participated in Development

**Constitutional Commission members (130+):**

- **Lawyers** – constitutionalists, judges, prosecutors
- **Parliamentarians** – deputies from all factions (Amanat, Auyl, QHP, Respublika, OSDP)
- **Business** – representatives of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs "Atameken"
- **Civil society** – NGOs, human rights advocates, activists
- **Regions** – representatives of all oblasts and cities of republican significance
- **Academia** – scholars, legal researchers
- **Media** – journalists, editors
- **Culture** – figures from culture and arts

**Gender balance:** maintained (at least 30% women).

**Regional balance:** all regions of Kazakhstan represented.

## Process Transparency

1. **All sessions broadcast live** – on official portals and YouTube
2. **Materials published** – minutes, transcripts, proposals (anonymized)
3. **Open communication channel** – citizens could ask questions via eGov
4. **Media coverage** – daily briefings, interviews with commission members

## Key Facts

- Six months of work – September 2025 to February 2026
- 130+ experts – lawyers, deputies, business, NGOs, regions
- 2,000+ citizen proposals – via e-Otinish and eGov
- All sessions open – live broadcasts, access to materials

## Checked sources

- [Official publication of the 2026 Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2600000000) – Adilet Legal Information System (checked 2026-07-16)
- [Official constitutional documents](https://www.akorda.kz/ru/official_documents/constitution) – Akorda (checked 2026-07-16)

## Qaz.Vision context

> Текст новой Конституции, подготовленный на основе общественных обсуждений, проходивших в течение шести месяцев, был опубликован две недели назад в средствах массовой информации и интернет-ресурсах.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/119)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:2461; unreviewed`

> На основе концепции Главы государства «Слышащее государство» был выстроен механизм эффективной обратной связи с обществом, предложения граждан по возможности были учтены.

- Ерлан Карин, Государственный советник
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/119)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:2463; unreviewed`

> Идея обновления Конституции зародилась два года назад. Затем она получила широкое обсуждение с последующей детальной разработкой проекта нового Основного закона.

- Касым-Жомарт Токаев, Президент
- [Source document](https://qaz.vision/dokument/503)
- Evidence: `direct_quote; atom:4177; unreviewed`

---
Source: https://constitution.my/p/how-developed?lang=en
© 2026 Constitution.my – informational resource, not an official legal source